Aim: To investigate whether the proportions of acetyl-histone-positive hepatocytes could be used as markers of deteriorating liver function.
Methods: In total, 611 cirrhotic cases from 3701 patients who were diagnosed during the past 15 years were screened, and 152 follow-up cases were selected. Paraffin tissue microarray was prepared for immunohistochemistry to examine acetyl-histone expression. The proportions of positive hepatocytes were recorded, and their correlations to clinical and laboratory indicators were analyzed statistically.
Results: The proportions of H2AK5ac(+), H3K9/K14ac(+) and H3K27ac(+) hepatocytes gradually increased with deteriorating liver function and with increasing levels of serum markers of liver injury. In the follow-up cases, patients with > 70% H2AK5ac(+), H3K9/K14ac(+) or H3K27ac(+) hepatocytes had statistically lower survival rates (P < 0.05). Furthermore, > 70% H2AK5ac(+) or H3K27ac(+) hepatocytes were strong independent predictors of overall survival (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The proportions of acetyl-histone-positive hepatocytes are closely associated with the liver function and prognosis of cirrhotic patients.
Keywords: Cirrhosis; Histone acetylation; Liver function; Prognosis.